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Chengdu J-20 5th Generation Aircraft News & Discussions

An old Article, thought it would interest some members.

Analysis: End of year surge for Chengdu J-20 fighter programme
Richard D Fisher Jr, Washington, DC - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
06 January 2015

In November and December 2014 two additional prototypes of the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation's (CAC) J-20 fifth-generation fighter emerged, advancing its development towards a possible initial operational capability (IOC) of 2017-18.

The J-20 programme currently features six known prototypes. Two are early technology development articles (serial numbers 2001 and 2002) that emerged in 2009 and 2010, while four are modified versions closer to operational prototypes (serial numbers 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2015) that all emerged in 2014.

No prototype numbered 2014 has yet to appear and may not, given the traditional Chinese view that four is an unlucky number.

Chinese aircraft spotters responsible for early internet photos report that the latest prototypes, 2013 and 2015, made their maiden flights from the CAC airfield on 29 November and 18 December 2014 respectively.

Both have most of the refinements seen on aircraft 2011, which emerged in February 2014: cropped canards and vertical stabilisers, a modified air intake, modified wing leading-edge extensions, and a new electro-optical targeting system (EOTS) under the nose.

However, 2013 and 2015 lack the nose-mounted pitot tubes that featured on the earlier prototypes. In addition, number 2015 has longer and sharper-shaped rear-fuselage horizontal strakes. Although this aft surface does not appear to be movable, it may contribute to aircraft stability, as a similar - though movable - surface did for the Grumman X-29 technology demonstrator.

Early internet-sourced images have also emerged of the J-20's retractable refueling probe, placed on the upper starboard of the nose. The development status of an indigenous Chinese turbofan for the J-20, often referred to as the WS-15, remains unknown. There is speculation that early J-20 examples may use a version of the Russian Saturn AL-31 turbofan.

In April 2014 an Asian government source told IHS Jane's that China would have 24 J-20s by 2020, which if realized, could constitute a first operational regiment. This would indicate that IOC may occur in the 2017-18 time frame.

View attachment 217388
Chinese aircraft spotters responsible for early internet photos report that the latest J-20 prototype, 2015, made its maiden flight from the CAC airfield on 18 December. Source: Chinese internet


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A detail of the strakes on the latest J-20 prototype, 2015. (Chinese internet)

View attachment 217390 A view of the latest J-20 prototype, 2015, which made its maiden flight from the CAC airfield on 18 December. (Chinese internet)


Analysis: End of year surge for Chengdu J-20 fighter programme - IHS Jane's 360
The engine can never be AL-31. It simply do not have enough thrust. And just a look of the engine nozzle petal tells you that is not AL-31 engine. IOC meaning, it must attain certain supercruise to qualify it as PLAAF has strict criteria to meet. The best bet is WS-10G is a intermittent engine with higher thrust WS-10A but short lifespan until WS-15 enter service.

Look at J-10B, it has not enter service until now. Due to strict requirement for a powerful domestic engine that can supercruise which result delay and delay.
 
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Upppsss ... seems as if a few post are missing ! Especially my "this can't be a WS-10 comparison and explanation chart !" !!

Anyway ... '2013' is still at CAC (interesting is that darker-grey area around the radome)

J-20 2013 - 27_4_15 - 3 xs.jpg
 
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Upppsss ... seems as if a few post are missing ! Especially my "this can't be a WS-10 comparison and explanation chart !" !!

Anyway ... '2013' is still at CAC (interesting is that darker-grey area around the radome)

View attachment 217402

2013 left for where you know a couple of days ago。

It is time to open your arms for 2016 and 2017. :D
 
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FC-31 for NAVY could be good. Though thought FC-31 would be only for export like JF-17

As far as I know, whether it will be a solely-export product or not hinges on whether their air force or navy adopts it or not.
 
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images (3).jpg
Are these engines Chinese made?
Yes these are Chinese engines Prototypes. Once they are fully developed they would power the J-20's.

As far as I know, whether it will be a solely-export product or not hinges on whether their air force or navy adopts it or not.
It would be good to hear if one of them becomes interested. Still Both J-20 and FC-31 would require modification to the engines and stealthier tail section. Some thing like that of F-22 or the B-2

f22_09.jpg
f22_09.jpg images (3).jpg
 
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Are these engines Chinese made?

This is a GC ... so there's nothing build today !


The production variant might have them, although it's likely that the first few batches will sport the classic RD-93.

For the possible PLA-version of the J-31 maybe, a potential naval J-20 however would surely use AL-31FN or later the WS-15.

2013 left for where you know a couple of days ago。

It is time to open your arms for 2016 and 2017. :D

Do You have the correct date ??? especially since these images came out only two days ago.

... and regarding 2016 & 2017, any idea WHEN ???

Deino
 
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